Bitesize #41
Zombie apocalypses, tripping right before the finish line and a really great spring jacket
I’m slowly coming back to life after a cold brought on by the biggest safety hazards of them all: three-year-olds. Only sort of kidding. But yes, I spent Easter with family and spending time with my nephew more often than not means catching some kind of bug. Worth it? Of course.
How was your Easter? Did you eat chocolate like there was no tomorrow and told yourself “I’m never eating chocolate again” and then proceed to have chocolate eggs for breakfast the next day? Omg same!!
I was supposed to be running this stupid half marathon today, but unfortunately I can’t make it due to still feeling the remnants of this cold. But there’s not much to do about it so I’m trying to fight the urge to go hide under the covers and cry. Since I was planning on running with some friends I’m gonna be a good sport and go cheer them on though.
There’s something so insanely frustrating about preparing for something for such a long time and doing all that hard work only to have to rug pulled out from under you right before you’re supposed to show the fruit of your labour. I know, I know. I can run 21.1 km next weekend and time myself. But it’s not the same as getting to race day, putting on the gear you carefully laid out the night before, securing your number to your shirt, feeling the nerves and excitement of everyone around you… But there will be other races. And as my (very clever and very sweet) friend Marie said, there’s probably some meaning to this. Some life lesson to be learned. It just sucks b*lls right now.
I bought this spring jacket from Zara the other day, but I’m thinking I’ll return it. I really love the colour and the slightly rounded back, which makes it feel a little more elevated. A silhouette that doesn’t feel too trendy as I tend to gravitate towards something like that, or something A-line, when it comes to short jackets. However, I just don’t know if I’ll get so much use out of it since it’s a very light/bright colour? I can picture myself wearing it with a lot of jeans and t-shirts that I have in my closet, and also with dresses or skirts for cooler summer days. But still. There’s something that makes me a a little unsure whether it’s really filling a hole in my current jacket rotation? And if not, then that money needs to go towards something else in my tight budget hah.
Please weigh in if you have any wise thoughts. It’s a really nice jacket.
Grocery shopping is either the cosiest thing ever or the worst thing ever. There is no inbetween for me. When I’m having a good grocery day (aka when I have money to spend on frivolous things) I’ll take my time going through the store, the different offers and just taking the time to get a sense of what I’m craving. When I’m having a bad grocery day on the other hand, I’ll either go into zombie apocalypse-mode and just toss whatever I happen to pass by into my basket as if this is the last time I’ll see food in the next 6–24 months, or I go into a mental freeze. I don’t know who I am, I don’t know what I like, I have absolutely no idea if I already have pesto at home. Anyone else?
Well my little tip for unfreezing myself or simply not go straight for canned goods that I’ll never use because we are, in fact, not in a real life Last of Us I have started using Pinterest for inspiration. GROUNDBREAKING. No but, really. I have made a board that I call “Yum” and when I’m doing my daily Pinterest scroll I’ll just save stuff that looks delicious (and relatively easy) and so when I’m grocery shopping I can scroll through it to get a sense of what could be nice to make. For example, I’ve saved this picture of some mouth-watering meatballs on there. Do I got to the recipe and buy every single ingredient? No. I just think to myself “hmm if I’m going to make meatballs, do I want them with pasta or potatoes?”. And then go from there.
That’s it. That’s the whole tip.
I had applied for this summer job that I ended up not getting. And you know what? When I got the call I was kind of relieved. The job would mean me being away from home for weeks at a time, thus needing a reliable dog sitter for weeks at a time. I wouldn’t really be paid too much either. And I would have to spend a lot of time with unknown people (although sure, I would get to know them obviously) which isn’t exactly my idea of a great time generally speaking.
So when they called and told me I hadn’t gotten it, I felt as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Now I still would like to do something to make a little extra money this summer, but there will be something more aligned for me to do. I just know it.
3 newsletters I really enjoyed this week:
Really love the humility of this newsletter and I can definitely relate to the feeling of wanting (and trying) (and failing) to make friends as an adult. Such a sweet one!
So chic. Makes me want to hop on a plane to Paris asap.
We all know about Becky at this point, but getting to know her a little more personally through Monica’s questionnaire was really fun!
Okay that’s it for this week. I hope you’re doing well and taking care of yourself. Really, I mean it. Spring is kind of tough and everyone expects you to be happy all the time because the trees are blossoming. You are allowed to be tired. Exhausted, even. There’s nothing wrong with you.
Sending all my love,
Julia
Sorry to hear about not being able to compete in the race you trained so hard for. I can definitely understand how that is a bummer.
For the jacket, I think if it's not a solid heck yes, it's a no for me. If you're unsure, you can return it and keep an eye out for something similar in the future! Alternatively, you can try styling it a few ways to see if it helps you decide!
Thank you for the feature and so glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
I’m so sorry about your race!!!! Definitely sucks when you feel like momentum and hard work is “wasted” (even if it isn’t really).
And I get your hesitation on the jacket but one of my friends wore that exact jacket to dinner this week and as she walked up our entire table exclaimed over how fabulous she looked and how amazing the jacket was!